Apple Inc. announced that its App Store App Review team has blocked more than 343,000 iOS apps for privacy concerns, whereas another 157,000 were banned for deliberately misleading or spamming. Over 34,500 apps were also prevented from being indexed on the Apple App Store as they were found to have used undocumented or hidden functionalities.

Additionally, Apple banned 155,000 more apps for using bait-and-switch tactics like introducing new features after receiving approval. Cumulatively, Apple’s App Review team has prevented almost 1.6 million hazardous or susceptible apps and updates from reaching the App Store in 2021.

This App Review team managed to reject or remove nearly 1 million questionable new apps and approximately 1 million app upgrades last year, according to the company's first fraud protection analysis report. Apple claims that its efforts to safeguard consumers from fraud attempts necessitate the constant monitoring and vigilance of numerous teams, ranging from app assessment to discovering fraud.

Apple’s this year report claims that the company is dedicated to keeping its app store a safe and secure platform for users to use risk-free downloadable apps. Apple's continued efforts to recognize and implement solutions against malicious actors attempting to mislead developers and users is a crucial pillar in that endeavor.

Thus, the company’s efforts to protect customers from fraud are commendable, given that fraudulent programs such as fleeceware remain a major concern on the iOS App Store. For those unaware, customers are attracted to such programs by the promise of free trials but often end up paying hundreds of dollars per year in subscription fees.

According to seasoned experts, there are over 200 such fleeceware programs in the Apple and Google app stores, with total expected revenue of more than USD 400 million.

Throughout 2021, Apple was also able to shield its consumers against USD 1.5 billion in potentially fraudulent transactions, as per company reports. It also barred roughly 600,000 accounts from ever transacting on Apple's platforms after it restricted the usage of even more than 3.3 million fraudulent transactions on its online shop networks.

Source Credits:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/apple-blocked-16-millions-apps-from-defrauding-users-in-2021/